you could go nuts trying to find treasures, she says.
Go and have fun with it even if its a wacky sweatshirt.
There are things that are $2 that make me just as happy as a $2,000 dress.
GETTING STARTED
- you could also search the internet using keywords like best thrift store with a specific city or town.
Location, location, location
Thrift shops often specialize in items that are popular in a specific region.
In cities, its more clothing, dishes and home goods that renters might need.
Ronconi agrees, but urges flexibility.
Sometimes you have to break the rules, she says.
Shop often
Thrifting can be hit or miss.
Finding treasures at a thrift store is just about going often, says Miranda.
And theres constant turnover where new donated items are put out.
TRICKS OF THRIFTING
5.
Go in with a strategy
The packed shelves and stuffed racks at thrift stores can be overwhelming.
To help make a shopping trip more manageable, follow a strategy.
For example, shop for coats one day and furniture the next visit.
Some thrift experts recommend digging deep.
Dont skip anything; even go through the mens section, Mekeel says.
Have plenty of time.
Look on the bottom shelf in the back, she suggests.
That includes Goodwills more than 3,300 thrift stores and the Salvation Armys 860 family stores across the country.
Look on Goodwills website to see if theres an outlet near you.
Track store restocking
To help find the newest items at thrift shops, ask the staff when they restock.
(Think winter jackets during the summer.)
Youll save money, and you might get to pick from the cream of the crop.
Become a detailed inspector
Examine items closely before purchasing.
Ive been burned before, Ronconi recalls.
Once I paid $300 for a dress, and when I got home, it was really holey.
It had a full skirt with a busy pattern, so it was hard to tell.
Try on clothing when possible, because many thrift stores dont accept returns.
For example, some Goodwill stores accept returns with a receipt while others dont.
Because Flipstone Vintage & Thrift lets people try on clothing, it doesnt accept returns, Iglesias says.
Bring a buddy
A friend or family member can help you sort through endless items and make tough decisions.
Its so much fun.
You always have someone to bounce ideas off of.
